The six monoecious species provide a wide range of local uses and are commonly called bertam or wild Bornean sago.

The genus is the sole representative of the Eugeissoninae having very few obvious relatives; the hermaphrodite and staminate flowers are also found in Metroxylon, however the other specialized characteristics are unique suggesting an early split and differentiation from other members of the Calameae.

During trunk-forming they are supported by tall masses of stilt roots in which detritus and leaf matter collect, providing nesting to various biota.

The palm is pollinated by mammals (squirrels, nocturnal murids, and treeshews like the pentailed treeshrew) which have adapted to chronic alcohol consumption.

E. tristis has become an effective pest in the Hill Dipterocarp forest where it colonizes cleared timberland preventing the regeneration of various trees.